According to a statement by the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI), US President Donald Trump’s recent decision to impose a 25 percent tariff on fully built vehicles (CBUs) and auto parts is expected to have little impact on India’s automobile industry.
The body stated that the tariff, set to take effect on April 3, has raised concerns among global car manufacturers. Still, India’s limited exposure to the US auto market suggests that the impact will be minimal.
The statement said, “While the announcement sent ripples through global automotive markets, its implications for India’s auto industry remain limited – and may, in fact, present an opportunity for Indian exporters”.
India’s passenger car exports to the US are insignificant, standing at just USD 8.9 million in 2024, compared to the country’s total global car exports of USD 6.98 billion. This means that only 0.13 per cent of India’s total car exports are directed to the US, making the new tariff largely irrelevant for Indian automakers. Given this negligible exposure, any attempt by India to counteract the tariff with its measures would likely be unnecessary and counterproductive. The GTRI stated that rather than posing a threat, the tariff may even open doors for India’s auto component industry.
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India exported USD 2.2 billion worth of auto parts to the US in 2024, making up 29.1 per cent of its total global auto parts exports. While this figure might seem concerning, the U.S. remains a large and diverse market. Since the new tariff applies to all exporting nations, India is not at a disadvantage compared to competitors. In fact, India could see an opportunity to expand its footprint in the U.S. market.
“India’s auto component industry may even find an opening. With its competitive advantage in labor-intensive manufacturing and competitive India’s import tariff structures (ranging from 0% to 7.5%), India could increase its market share in the US over time,” said GTRI.
GTRI added, “In other categories, too, US exposure is either low or manageable. Truck exports to the US stood at just USD 12.5 million, representing 0.89 percent of India’s global truck exports. These figures confirm a limited vulnerability.”
The country’s strength in labor-intensive manufacturing and its favorable import tariff structures (ranging from 0 percent to 7.5 percent) may allow Indian exporters to increase their share in the US auto parts sector over time. While the global auto industry faces uncertainty due to the tariff, India’s auto sector appears well-positioned to navigate the changes. The GTRI suggests that rather than retaliating, India should adopt a strategic wait-and-watch approach, as the long-term impact of the tariff could be neutral or even beneficial for Indian exporters.
